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The Joy of the Empty Tomb
The stone rolled away, and something in me began to stir.
Even in the joy of the empty tomb, I felt a quiet reminder: don’t forget the cross.
As I celebrated Easter this weekend, I found myself filled with the joy of the Lord and the exaltation of the Resurrection. And yet, in the same breath, I don’t want to forget the cross because forgetting the cross is easy.
What We’d Rather Not See
It’s easier to remember the empty cross than the one that held a beaten and broken body. Easier to look at a cross stripped bare than one soaked in suffering. Easier to gaze at what is no longer there than to look face to face with Jesus, crucified. If I am honest, part of me prefers the empty cross.
What the Cross Asks of Me
But the cross was costly, a cost I say I believe in, but don’t always want to look at too closely. The resurrected Jesus is less painful and easier to see. To truly gaze upon the crucified Jesus is to recognize what love requires—sacrifice. And this love, this sacrifice, is what true discipleship asks of us.
I began to ask myself: What does true discipleship actually require of me?
It looks like denying what I want for what the Lord asks (Luke 9:23).
To accept the cross—the hardship, pain, disappointment, failed expectations, etc. (Matthew 16:24).
It means placing Him above everything (Luke 14:33).
It calls me to love as He loved—sacrificially (John 13:34).
To remain in His word (John 8:31).
To go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19).
And, ultimately, to become like Jesus (Luke 6:40).
A Prayer
So Lord, please don’t let me forget the cost of the cross, the price of discipleship, and the gift of grace. Because when I forget, I risk trivializing the Love that endured the scourging, the Love that carried the wood of the cross, the Love that remained through the crucifixion, the Love that gave all.
This is the Love that bore all things, endured all things (1 Corinthians 13:7), and still does not give up on the very people He died for, even now. Please Lord, don’t let me forget.
4 Responses
So touching…so true…and how easily and quickly I forget!😘
I have to remind myself all the time!!
I love this. The line about preferring the empty cross over the crucified Jesus really stayed with me—it’s so true and so convicting. The resurrection fills us with joy, but the cross anchors us in what that joy cost. Thank you for calling us back to a fuller, deeper discipleship.
❤️